The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a one vehicle crash on July 6,2010 at 7:07p.m. located on MO- 136/3.5 miles west of Unionville. The driver of a 2009 Toyota was 17 year old Austin Bruce of Lucerne, MO who sustained minor injuries. His passenger was 15 year old Riley Bruce, who sustained moderate injuries. A. Bruce failed to negotiate a curve causing him to run off the right side of the road, strike an embankment, becoming airborne, and later coming to rest in a fence row.
A. Bruce sought his own medical attention, while R. Bruce was transported by private vehicle to Putnam County Hospital and then transported by ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville. Both were wearing seatbelts. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Between 2005 and 2008, run-off road crashes have been the second leading cause of car crashes in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation has begun installing additional safety measures to help drivers on Missouri roads. Some of these include installing rumble strips on the edgeline and centerline of roads, installing more chevrons to alert drivers to upcoming curves, and making curves and turn signs bigger so they're more visible to drivers.
